Team Hawkes and its Perth connection struck first on Super Saturday when Top Me Up scored a barrier-to-box victory at Flemington.

The grey gelding found the rail first and quickly asserted control under Dwayne Dunn in the Melbourne Cup Carnival On Sale Hcp (1400m). He races for Perth owners Nic Giorgetta, Rob Mitchell, Glyn Evans & Wayne Forrest after being sourced by John Chalmers (FBAA) at the 2014 Inglis Easter Sale.

“He had a good barrier and it was his right trip,” Dunn said. “We had a good run in transit and he did the rest.”

TOP ME UP

Top Me Up (4g Exceed and Excel - De Groove by Dehere) is a younger half-brother to Melbourne stakes sprinter General Groove and has earned his own black-type with placings in the G3 Vain Stakes and LR Blue Diamond Preview.

"He's been a model of consistency," co-trainer Wayne Hawkes said. "I said to the owners before the race he had his foot on the till.”

Chalmers made the Top 10 leader-board for the same partnership at last year’s Inglis Easter Sale when he bought a Fastnet Rock filly related to G3 WA Oaks winner First Impressions for $950,000. She has been named Wild Horizon and is also on the books with Team Hawkes at Flemington.

Federation of Bloodstock Agents Australia (FBAA) was formed in 1988 to maintain, improve and develop the standards, status and services of bloodstock agents throughout Australia. Its members operate with the utmost integrity and professionalism and are bound by the strict Industry Code of Conduct.